Jake Burger scooped up in first round of MLB Draft

Missouri State junior third baseman Jake Burger reacts after being drafted with the 11th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox during the 2017 MLB Draft.
Wyatt Wheeler/News-Leader

Buy Photo

Jake Burger launches a grand slam to put the Bears ahead of the Southern Illinois Salukis during the Missouri Valley Baseball tournament at Hammons Field on Thursday, May 25, 2017.(Photo: Andrew Jansen/News-Leader)Buy Photo

Now he’s a three-time all-American and a first round pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. The Chicago White Sox took Burger with the 11th pick in the first round on Monday night. The Missouri State third baseman is just the sixth Bears player to be taken in an opening round of the draft since 1966.

Burger started all 63 of Missouri’s State’s 2017 games at third base. He batted .328 with an on-base percentage of .443. He hit 22 home runs and recorded 65 RBI. He is Missouri State’s second ever three-time All-American after pitcher Nick Petree.

Burger led Missouri State (43-20) to the 2017 NCAA Super Regional, which ended Sunday in Fort Worth with a loss to TCU.

After the game, Burger reflected on his career at Missouri State, which made it apparent he does not plan to return for his senior season. He came to Missouri State to develop as a baseball player under longtime coach Keith Guttin, and develop Burger did.

“There’s no words, no words to describe what this community of Springfield has done for me and our team and for Coach Guttin. There’s no words to describe how special the coaching staff is to me, and it’s been a great three years,” Burger said.

During Keith Guttin’s 35 years coaching Missouri State, 116 players have signed professional contracts. Ninety-six of those Bears were drafted. Guttin has seen his share of draft picks who decide to leave college for the pros. It’s part of coaching college baseball.

“Guys have to make decisions for themselves, it’s their life, and we’ll have who we have and we’ll go forward with them,” Guttin said.

A total of 103 players from Missouri State University have been drafted since 1966. Pitcher Ross Detwiler is the highest selected Bears player of all time. The Washington Nationals took Detwiler with the sixth overall pick of the 2007 Draft.

Burger replaces outfielder Tate Matheny as the highest drafted position player out of Missouri State of all time. The Boston Red Sox selected Matheny with the sixth pick of the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, which made him the 111th overall pick.